Pubdate: Mon, 3 Nov 2008
Source: Press and Journal, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Aberdeen Journals Ltd
Contact:  http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/347
Author: Declan Harte
Photo: Pioneering Device: Chief Inspector Innes Walker of Grampian 
Police with the Itemiser. http://www.mapinc.org/images/drugtestmachine.jpg

DRUG-DETECTOR TRIAL HAILED SUCCESS

Operation Using Hand-Scanning Device Leads to Two Arrests Outside 
Participating City Venues

Calls have been made for pioneering drug-detection equipment to be 
introduced permanently, after a trial in which over 750 people were 
tested for illegal substances at the weekend.

Police in Aberdeen tested hundreds of people entering pubs and clubs 
using a machine which can tell within seconds if a person has been in 
contact with illegal drugs.

The Itemiser machine, which was on loan from the Scottish Crime and 
Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), allowed officers to swab people's 
hands and analyse the results using similar technology to that used 
to find explosives at airports.

Police said the device found that a 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old 
woman were in possession of class A drugs and both have been reported 
to the procurator fiscal.

The operation was hailed a success by the Grampian Joint Police Board 
- - who want to see the equipment used on a permanent basis.

Chairman of the police board Martin Greig said licensed premises 
should help pay the cost of buying the devices, which are priced 
around UKP25,000.

He said: "We all share responsibility in improving safety in the city 
centre and this includes the private sector. This device is a useful 
crime-fighting tool so any way of securing funding for it should be 
looked into."

A total of 753 people were tested on Friday and Saturday nights 
outside nine venues, which volunteered to take part. No individuals 
asked to take the test refused.

Mr Greig added that without the device the two arrests could not have 
been made, and it could be used in the long-term fight against 
Aberdeen's growing problem with crack cocaine.

Grampian Police was the first force in Scotland to be given use of 
the Itemiser, which can detect heroin, cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

A similar device has been used successfully by some police forces in England.

It was introduced in Aberdeen as part of the Grampian Police 
Operation Oak initiative, a nine-week drive against antisocial 
behaviour in the city centre.

Along with the SCDEA, police have been working alongside licensed 
premises, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen City Council to cut alcohol and 
drug-fuelled crime.

Inspector George Mcdonald, who co-ordinated the operation, said that 
plans to bring the equipment back to the city are already under way. 
He said: "This has been a worthwhile initiative between the SCDEA and 
Grampian Police. From a national perspective it recognises the harm 
associated with drugs and how important joint working and education 
are to combat this and change attitudes.

"We will undoubtedly repeat this initiative, working with the SCDEA 
and indeed other partners, in the future to target the minority whose 
behaviour causes problems."

Revellers entering city centre nightclubs Liquid, Espionage and Tiger 
Tiger were all asked to provide a hand swab. While it was not a legal 
requirement, venues made it a condition of entry. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake